Thread: Anyone that has recently visited or is currently living in Cambodia?

I've only been to Snookyville once a few years ago. I reckon I'll take another trip over this year for a week or so and check it out since there's been so much noise about it on all the Thailand forums. On that other forum, it's a much more polarized debate, those who love Thailand at all costs and think everyone who goes to Cambodia is a loser; and those who are getting tired of the visa changes, higher prices etc.. I don't fall into either category, I'm just curious.

Oleboy and Marmite, thx for the further info. I've heard good reports about the mobile data services in Thailand and have emailed the guy you mentioned to ask about Cambodia.

Regarding the LOS vs Cambodia discussion, people often overlook the importance of infrastructure and massively underestimate how long it takes for a society to move in what would appear to be the obvious and most profitable direction. Behind all the glossy Western trappings, Thailand is still terminally held back by corruption and a cultural inability to plan for the long-term.

SE Asia is a playground you should enjoy but resist the illusion that anywhere is going to be safe/stable/hospitable tomorrow: rent rather than buy unless you can genuinely afford to lose that gamble, never invest money in any project, including marriage, that results in you being worth more to someone dead than alive, have back-up investments in the West that allow you to walk away etc. This is all just common sense but, as we all know, it is easy to get suckered into the illusion that the East is the same as the West but with tastier food and prettier women.

On that basis, that nowhere in SE Asia is truly stable, Cambodia seems as good a place as any to while away a few pleasant years and, certainly, Thailand seems to be pricing itself out of that market. It appears that Vietnam, too, is opening up to us and, hopefully, Myanmar will soon become democratic and open to foreign residents, all of which will release a lot of pressure from the over-heated Thai market. I suspect that the advance of budget airlines, too, will eventually open up the entire peninsula but, again, don't put all your eggs in once basket and always keep a packed suitcase ready to roll.

Donny

Originally Posted by chinthee

On that other forum, it's a much more polarized debate, those who love Thailand at all costs and think everyone who goes to Cambodia is a loser

ajarn I take it - they are all too up their own asses if you ask me - prob. too scared to go to Cambodia anyway

^I thought he was referring to ThaiVisa.

I was in Sihanookville for 2 weeks in early Jan`08. Personally,I loved it. I`d agree with most of the above comments about it being dirty,overpriced etc, but I was travelling with a good crowd. Best avoided at weekends,you get the young,rich Kmers coming down for the weekend,some with armed bodyguards,which is`nt much fun.
Lot`s of new resorts,casino`s being built,at the moment....It`ll be another Pattaya in a few more years,especially as bars stay open longer and booze is much cheaper than LOS.I was paying $8 a litre for Absolute vodka in the local supermarket.....

^^ M-leaves talks much sense - could also be refering to Thai Visa as well , though they are mainly the bar-girl wife crew that price things in the amount of 'short times' that could be obtained.

1. What about the crime levels?

2. Do you need to register a business or can you just open shop?

3. IT staff in Snookies with English skills? Possible?

4. Electricity - constant or not?



Thanks!

cool, better get down there for a look when i get back. a french bloke i knew on kohchang went there, about 2 years ago with a view to doing something, he decided against it and ended up in hua hin?
having said that, theres no smoke without fire so is sihanookville really gonna be the next patts?

So I am told that is why I was asking. That Khmer440 forum is a waste as there are just a lot of burnouts on it in my view.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by AJQUSA

Marmite the Dog= What did you think about Sihanoukville during your visit?

I enjoyed my time there, but it was due to the company I kept, more than anything else. I spent a couple of hours in the Barang bars and they didn't really inspire me. There are some really nice parts to the area, but for how long? Sihanoukville is rapidly developing from what I heard and will become the Koh Samui of Cambodia before too long.

I don't think I could live there as I prefer Phnom Penh, but if you just want to do nothing for a year or so, then you could pick worse places.

Have you considered somewhere like Koh Kong?

I finally went to Sihanoukville for a week and found it to be nice. It is obviously trying to grow but I don't think it will reach Pattayas size and shape for many years. I took the boat from Koh Kong and enjoyed a sunny smooth ride. The boat ride from Snooky back to Koh Kong was the "boat ride from hell". For the return trip I was the only Barang that opted to ride on top of the boat along with just one Khmer guy. The water was rough and and had us hanging on for dear life. When we stopped at the Island midway the passengers inside described an even more scary ride with many people sick and bruised from being tossed around. Many barangs finished the trip on top of the boat feeling as I did that if the boat topsided it would be hard to get out. The boat is shaped more like a Submarine and perhaps has a desire to Submerge. When I return, which I will do for sure. I will fly or take a bus unless I am certain about the weather and sea conditions.

I will post more about my trip and add some of my many photos soon.
" Sihanoukville or Bust"

Originally Posted by AJQUSA

I will post more about my trip and add some of my many photos soon. " Sihanoukville or Bust"

Looking forward to it. Hopefully you took some pictures of the return boat journey.

Hey OP I would advise PP as opposed to Snookiville but it depends on what you are looking for/wanting to achieve...

Originally Posted by Reaper

So I am told that is why I was asking. That Khmer440 forum is a waste as there are just a lot of burnouts on it in my view.

Pot - Kettle - black

Originally Posted by AJQUSA

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by AJQUSA

Marmite the Dog= What did you think about Sihanoukville during your visit?

I enjoyed my time there, but it was due to the company I kept, more than anything else. I spent a couple of hours in the Barang bars and they didn't really inspire me. There are some really nice parts to the area, but for how long? Sihanoukville is rapidly developing from what I heard and will become the Koh Samui of Cambodia before too long.

I don't think I could live there as I prefer Phnom Penh, but if you just want to do nothing for a year or so, then you could pick worse places.

Have you considered somewhere like Koh Kong?

I finally went to Sihanoukville for a week and found it to be nice. It is obviously trying to grow but I don't think it will reach Pattayas size and shape for many years. I took the boat from Koh Kong and enjoyed a sunny smooth ride. The boat ride from Snooky back to Koh Kong was the "boat ride from hell". For the return trip I was the only Barang that opted to ride on top of the boat along with just one Khmer guy. The water was rough and and had us hanging on for dear life. When we stopped at the Island midway the passengers inside described an even more scary ride with many people sick and bruised from being tossed around. Many barangs finished the trip on top of the boat feeling as I did that if the boat topsided it would be hard to get out. The boat is shaped more like a Submarine and perhaps has a desire to Submerge. When I return, which I will do for sure. I will fly or take a bus unless I am certain about the weather and sea conditions.

I will post more about my trip and add some of my many photos soon.
" Sihanoukville or Bust"

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...b_Cambodia.JPG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...b_IMG_4522.JPG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...Khmer_Monk.JPG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...b_IMG_4744.JPG



Last edited by Marmite the Dog : 05-04-2008 at 10:40 AM. Reason: Please read the "How to post pictures" thread...
MtD, Hope I did it correctly this time.

Originally Posted by AJQUSA

MtD, Hope I did it correctly this time.

Nope. Go back and read the instructions again...it's not that difficult...https://teakdoor.com/how-to-use-stuff-on-board/20334-kms-pic-posting-tutorial-with-pics.html

Sihanoukville, as I remember it, is outta sight!

When I was there I pigged out on seafood (more than I've had in my life) that a group of friends and I bought in a nearby market, had cooked right in front of us there, and took to the beach with some drinks.

Rented a motorcycle and stayed at a teak-style motel about a block from the beach.

That was back in the innocent days before I was introduced to sinful Pattaya.

Booze is nice and cheap here that's for sure - small beer in bar is about 35B (for draught) and can get Jim Beam etc.. for 250-300B a bottle and Glenfiddich for around 550B - way cheaper that LOS!

I was in S`nookville in January.....Absolute vodka was $8. Cigerettes were $3.80/$4 a carton of 200 (214.if you smoked Wonder).

Cambodians not as caculating as the Thais when it comes to trying to part you from your money,found them genuinely nice people. Came across a lot of expats especially in Phnom Penh who have had it with with Thailand ,all reckoned their money goes further. Can`t comment on Sihanoukville but Cambodia worth a go

Went last month. Me and Whose Wandering hooked up on the gange and stayed at some nice bunglows on Serendipity beach. Still the best seafood at the best prices period.

However the town centre hasn't developed much, the Ankhor is a cheap, dirty guesthouse, Fisherman's Den run by an aggressive, unhappy alcoholic and the rest just about as quiet.

I am thinking of moving to Camb. coast eventually but it's still very early days yet... slow internet too. Didn't go anywhere near the girls... they don't really know how to host like, say, the girls in Pattaya, do by the way. I'd save me cash for the Thai city of sin if you're into that kinda thing and have a chill out and beer, fish fest in ole Kampot Som instead.

Originally Posted by oleboy

I have a new 1 room Apt fully furnished including UBC cable for $90. a Month its located between downtown and the beaches so about ten minutes walk in either direction.

I visited Sihanoukville past May and I could not spot any real estate agency nor saw any "for rent" sign around. How many squared meters is your apt ? are there any other units available ? Any photos of the building ?

I was also rather disappointed by the whores attitude.
I mean, at Blue Mountain I have been first quoted 10$ for a bj, then after say 10mins was asked another 5$ to go on....what crap is that ?

Originally Posted by Gaudente

I was also rather disappointed by the whores attitude.
I mean, at Blue Mountain I have been first quoted 10$ for a bj, then after say 10mins was asked another 5$ to go on....what crap is that ?

I agree - they have absolutely no class.......